As the government strives for a more inclusive education policy, more and more teachers find themselves in the frontline when dealing with children with mental health problems. Many have not had training in such matters and so feel unprepared and uncertain when faced with difficult situations.
The Mental Health Handbook for Schools provides valuable information on a comprehensive range of mental health problems with which teachers are often confronted.
Drawing on up-to-date research and practice in these areas the book considers what schools can do, within the special needs framework, to help pupils with these problems. It usefully reflects on the role of the mental health services in relation to schools and how schools can adopt a whole-school preventative approach to mental health problems.
The authors address an extensive range of mental health problems including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorders and schizophrenia. They also cover situations that can often lead to the development of mental health problems including bullying, divorce and marital conflict, bereavement and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

'Useful reading for the non-specialist teacher. Even where a problem is clearly intractable ... the authors are able to offer encouraging and positive advice.' - Gerald Haigh, Times Educational Supplement 'An excellent study of the range of childhood and adolescent mental health and the circumstances that lead to them ... Of interest to a wide readership and especially useful for school counsellors as well as classroom teachers.' Judges' comment - Winner of the TES/ NASEN Academic Book Award 2002